Departure Day :o( - Monday - September 12, 2011

RV-Dreams - Carolina Clan, Day 5

Click any photo to enlarge

Today would be our last day here at Cheraw State Park.

We really hated to leave this beautiful place and

our wonderful friends!!

We got up early and walked.

The moon was still out and the sun was just beginning to rise.

Today was a half powerwalk.

Nancy had her camera so I knew she was on a mission this morning.

We headed in our usual direction, around the lake and

down the road towards the Turkey Oak Trailhead.

We passed the boat landing next to the campground,

went down the boardwalk and passed the Park Office.

This Hummingbird was getting an early start to his day!

We continued down the road passed the golf course.

Then Nancy saw a bird high in the tree!!

Could it be the elusive Red Cockaded Woodpecker??

Nope  ;-(  So we continued on towards the trailhead.

We had almost reached the Turkey Oak Trailhead,

when we met Ranger Mark.

He stopped his truck, got out and asked

 if we had seen the woodpeckers yet.

We told him no and he said to go back

to the restricted area we had passed.

Then just walk into the area and listen.

We would hear them and see them this time of the morning!!!

Well, I knew Nancy would be spending some time on this adventure,

 so we parted ways.

I continue my powerwalk and Nancy went woodpecker hunting ;o))

Nancy here:

I headed back to the restricted area as instructed by Ranger Mark.

Having been given permission to enter the area, I did and just stood quietly and listen.  It was really amazing.  You could hear the woodpeckers talking to each other.  They would pop in and out of their holes in the trees.

Getting any sort of photo was going to be a challenge.  They were never still.  The RCWs are small birds and move extremely quickly.  If they did stop it was very high up in the trees.

Can you see this fellow???

Holding my camera as still as possible,

I zoomed in as much as possible.

Finally..... The Red Cockaded Woodpecker !!!

Just a little closer ;o))

I spent quite a bit of time just watching and listening to these fun woodpeckers. They were very vocal and seemed to have quite a community in the grove of long-leaf pines.

As I turned to leave, I heard this one making a new hole. He sat on that branch hammering away!!

I could have spent more time just watching and listening, but it was time to head back. At least I know that the endangered Red Cockaded Woodpecker has a great home here in the Long-leaf Pines of Cheraw State Park!!

These pine cones are where it all begins.

Here is the new generation of Long-leaf Pines.

As I headed back to the campground, I saw a few more things that just need to be photographed…

Here is the Tea Cup Long-leaf Pine !!

 

Doesn't he look inquisitive???

  

Uh Oh… didn’t see this sign before ;o))

Just..... BEAUTIFUL !!!

Jill and Paul paddling on Lake Juniper :o)

What a great way to spend my last morning at Cheraw!!

Now, back to Bill :o))

Back at the campsite, we leisurely took our time

breaking camp and getting ready to leave.

We shared a few more laughs and lots of hugs,

before heading to the dump to empty our tanks.

 The Last Dirty Deed ;o))

Of course, it is never Goodbye, just See You Down the Road!

We all agreed to meet again next year,

probably at Huntington Beach State Park,

sometime after Labor Day. 

I’d be willing to bet the Carolina Clan may grow in size before then :o))

We got home safely and unpacked both the Pleasureway and the Tahoe.
Whew… NO GEORGE!!

The last time we saw George, he was taking a moonlight kayak ride with the Carolina Clan.

I’m not sure where George is now,
but I’m sure he will be well taken care of :o))

Until Next Year...
SAFE  TRAVELS  AND  HAPPY  TRAILS !!